AAPEX 2022 welcomed the resilient and essential automotive aftermarket back to Las Vegas to do business in person, see products up close, reconnect with colleagues and participate in advanced training, all with the goal of keeping the world’s 1.5 billion vehicles on the road. 

The event, which represents the more than $1.8 trillion global automotive aftermarket industry, was held Nov. 1-3, at The Venetian Expo.

The excitement of AAPEX was apparent throughout the event as crowds filled the show floor, as well as the training programs and special events, including the sold-out Keynote Session with acclaimed political strategists James Carville and Karl Rove. Joe’s Garage, which expanded to a 10-bay shop on the show floor, was the popular go-to spot for service and repair professionals to see product demos, get hands-on training, learn the importance of Right to Repair, and interact one-on-one with suppliers and manufacturers.

“We are back and better than ever,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association, during the opening Keynote Session on Nov. 1. “Last year was our first venture back in person and we’re happy to report this year, we are at 94% of attendance of a normal year. Thank you to our friends at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance for bringing 2,000 of their best and brightest service providers, and Advance CARQUEST professionals for bringing over 900. Wow. Unbelievable.”  

Paul McCarthy, president and CEO, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), said, “AAPEX continues to raise the bar and set records. We are thrilled that this year almost 40% of AAPEX attendees are shop owners and service professionals. To have the people who, day-in and day-out, use the products that line the show floor is an incredible opportunity. Add to that a 10-bay working shop and we know that the feedback and conversations taking place will continue to spur innovation in the marketplace.”

AAPEX 2022 drew approximately 45,550 targeted buyers from 121 countries. More than 126,000 industry professionals were in Las Vegas for AAPEX and the SEMA Show.

The AAPEX show floor featured new product and technology displays from 1,407 exhibiting companies representing 35 countries and occupying 3,467 booths. Hundreds of new products made their debut at AAPEX, both on the show floor and in the New Product Showcase, while the most innovative packaging designs were spotlighted in the New Packaging Showcase.

This year, new sections for e-Commerce Distribution and Transmission Service were added to the show floor, in addition to dedicated sections for Alternative Fuel, Tool & Equipment, Diagnostics/Telematics, Tire Servicing, International, Automotive Technology, Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Import Vehicle Community, Mobile Heat Transfer/Heating/Air Conditioning, Paint, Body and Equipment, and Remanufacturing.

A robust education program with technical and business management training tackled many essential topics for service and repair professionals, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) calibration, modern induction systems, hiring and retaining talent, and preparing for battery service on electric vehicles (EVs). To prepare attendees for the future, the program also included the popular “Aftermarket Outlook 2023” session, presented by the NPD Group, “5 Automotive Trends Impacting the North American Aftermarket,” by S&P Global, and the “Presidents’ Update: Joint EV and Ecommerce Forecasts,” presented by association leaders Hanvey and McCarthy.

In addition, the new AAPEX Student Sponsorship Program, created to attract and retain talent in the industry, got off to a strong start by providing students with a complimentary package to attend AAPEX and learn first-hand about the benefits and career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry.

AAPEX 2023 will be held Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Thursday, Nov. 2, at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. Housing is already open and attendee registration is set to open in May 2023.

AAPEX recently was ranked as one of the top U.S. trade shows in 2021 by Trade Show Executive.